Car operation is always accompanied by minor troubles, and one of them is the oxidation of the battery contacts. To prevent further spread of plaque, you need to know the reasons for its occurrence and how to remove it.
Reasons for oxidation of battery contacts
The main source of bluish-white plaque on battery terminals is cracks and other leaks in a car battery. They can appear as a result of recharging the battery, when the correct connection of the circuit is violated, and they can also form gradually, when small gaps appear on its case or the contact leaves due to vibration. Another culprit is a loose connection between the contacts, as a result of which a seal appears between them in the form of a layer of solid crystals.
Such a deterioration in the state of the battery cells also occurs when the density of the electrolyte poured into it is heterogeneous due to the closure of its cells or clogging of the ventilation holes. As a result, in some places the pressure of the electrolyte increases sharply, and it flows out both through ordinary holes and through cracks. In any case, the appearance of plaque crystals signals the need to replace the battery as soon as possible, since its further operation may lead to a breakdown of the car and acid burning holes on its bottom.
Remedies
If the process has not gone too far, then the matter can be corrected with a 10% solution of baking soda. You should not exceed its content, since, entering into a reaction with layering, it will give hard-to-remove white spots. It is better to remove the battery and place it in an unnecessary container, then start the treatment with soda: it will hiss when it is connected with the plaque.
There is also a mechanical method for cleaning with a special corrosive brush, sandpaper and an old knife. It is not recommended to use gasoline for this purpose, as it is a solvent not only for plaque, but also for plastic and rubber parts.
Preventive measures
To prevent oxidation of the contacts, they must be isolated from the environment with pieces of felt wound around them with a hole cut out in the middle or felt washers sold in car dealerships, pre-impregnated with machine oil. The terminal is surrounded by two gaskets: at the point of connection to the battery and connection to the contact of the on-board system.
Instead, the terminals can be coated with grease, tekhvazelin or other greasy materials, or a more hygienic silicone grease. In car dealerships in the form of aerosols, a product such as electric fat is sold - to protect against corrosion, it is enough to sprinkle it on key elements.
